Michael Joe Stephenson, 42, of Plymouth, Minn., died Tuesday, Dec. 18, 2012, at the North Memorial Medical Center Hospice in Robbinsdale, Minn.

Michael was born Dec. 1, 1970, at Spring Valley, Minn., the son of Randy and Barbara (Dietrich) Stephenson. He was born with Cerebral Palsy and he attended Southland Special Education classes from 1973 to December 1975. In January 1976, he moved to Worthington, Minn., where he attended Lakeview School. Michael graduated from Worthington High School in 1991 and went on to attend Southwest State University, attaining his bachelor’s degree in political science. In 1995, he moved to the Twin Cities where he was a volunteer with the Minnesota Timberwolves and worked on a number of political campaigns. Michael served as president on the board of directors of United Cerebral Palsy.

As a young child, Michael enjoyed attending his dad’s softball games and has been an avid softball fan since that time. He followed Twin Cities softball teams where he made many friends. He enjoyed these friendships over the years, attending many events and traveling with them to one of their cabins in northern Minnesota. He went to softball games in Chicago and Florida. Everyone enjoyed giving Michael a hard time and he loved to give it right back.

Michael was preceded in death by his grandparents, Franklin and Dorothy Stephenson, Archie and Lois Dietrich; uncles and aunts, Richard Hanson, Kenneth Ama, Joanie Stephenson, Roger Stephenson, Edna Mae Dietrich, Richard Dietrich and Walter Dietrich.

He is survived by his parents, Randy and Barb Stephenson, Dexter, Minn.; sisters and brothers-in-law, Stacy and Justin Forthun, Dexter; Alison and Peter Hanlin, Red Wing, Minn.; nieces and nephews, Hannah Unverzagt, Ethan and Cameron Forthun, Addison, Eli and Morgan Hanlin; aunts, uncles and cousins.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 22 at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Elkton, Minn., with the Rev. Liz Erickson officiating. Interment will be in the Dexter Cemetery. Visitation will be at the Adams Funeral Home on Friday from 4 to 8 p.m. and at the church on Saturday morning for one hour before the service.